F1 Season 2024 - Pre-Season Thread

[chrismscotland]

Halfway through January and it feels like we're still in F1 "winter" but not too long to go until the first car launches in early February.

Announced Car Launch Dates

Williams: February 5
Stake F1: February 5
Alpine: February 7
Aston Martin: February 12
Ferrari: February 13
Mercedes: February 14
Red Bull: February 15
McLaren: TBC
AlphaTauri: TBC
Haas: TBC

Pre-Season Testing Dates (Bahrain International Circuit)
Day 1: Wednesday, February 21. 10AM–7PM
Day 2: Thursday, February 22. 10AM–7PM
Day 3: Friday, February 22. 10AM–7PM

 

[chrismscotland]

Indeed McLaren have unveiled their 2024 livery today on the MCL38

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1747301266865201193

 

[chrismscotland]

I wish they had some rules on the launches forcing them to show their actual car rather than it basically being a livery unveil. They could have some big glitzy hoopla where they all launch together at the same time at a soulless cringetastic event in Vegas. Liberty Media should pay me for these ideas.

Who cares? Lets be honest the F1 "launch" isn't for us as fans it for their sponsors; let them do what they want

 

[chrismscotland]

Looks a little like someone spilled their highlighter pen on the car but I kinda like it!

 

[chrismscotland]

I hope Mercedes actually bother with paint this year.

Could put some red on it; get Lewis used to the colour a year early

 

[chrismscotland]

Had forgotten we're only 9 days away from F1 "testing" (getting some footage for the marketing videos; that still won't prove anything)

 

[chrismscotland]

Surely the Alonso to Merc stuff is just nonsense? Does it even make sense, he'll be 43 at the start of the season turning 44 mid-season, and being a 2-time world champion I assume he doesn't come cheap...

Given you've got Albon, Mick Schumacher, even Ocon as options you'd take any of them over an OAP Alonso?

Personally while I'd kind of like to see it I think Alonso is more likely to stay at Aston; especially with future opportunity in sports cars there too; but I don't have an issue with his age if he's quick enough.
Surely a lot will ride on how Russell performs as well though; he needs Merc to see him as a team leader or I can see them opening their cheque book to try and buy out the contract of someone like Norris.

If Russell performs then there's a bigger chance they just chuck someone like Schumacher in for a season I'd say; especially with 2025 being a bit of a dead year with the end of the "regulation era"

 

[chrismscotland]

If Aston wanted to can a driver, there’s an obvious option. Replacing Alonso won’t fix the fact that only one driver is getting points.

100% this

 

[chrismscotland]

Horner confirmed as going to be in attendance at the launch of the RB20 tomorrow!:

Red Bull confirms Christian Horner's attendance for RB20 launch

Christian Horner will be present for Red Bull's launch of the 2024 RB20 at Milton Keynes, the team has confirmed.

www.planetf1.com

 

[chrismscotland]

So did I. It’s tomorrow isn’t it, not tonight?

Read it wrong! Yes its tomorrow!

 

[chrismscotland]

To be honest I've not heard a lot of bosses mentioned; not heard a mention of Toto Wolff or Eric Vasseur either.
I think its more that they're focusing on the cars (and loving the sound of their own voices) more than anything else

Edit: Just about saw Toto's eye there

 

[chrismscotland]

Well if it ends Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari it looks like its much as it was at the front last year, Torro Rosso looking decent though as well.
Mercedes look like they're in for a troubled start again

 

[chrismscotland]

Looks like another broken drain or part of the kerb

 

[chrismscotland]

Adding an extra hour to the afternoon session though so could be worse

 

[chrismscotland]

Feels like these newer circuits are built on the cheap, don’t recall this many problems with longstanding ones.

To be fair we've been racing in Bahrain since 2004, its hardly a new circuit now; there's been plenty of issues with older tracks from time to time (with kerbs especially)

 

[chrismscotland]

Christian Horner back in Red Bull branded / Team Kit today; I think we can rest yesterday's conspiracy's about his "casual" look

 

[chrismscotland]

I think we can all agree; Norris needs to lose the dodgy looking attempt at facial hair; he looks like he's drawn on a tasch

 

[chrismscotland]

Interesting to see how quick Max is this afternoon. Sergio hasn't looked that quick so far v Ferrari

 

[chrismscotland]

I wasn't aware that the cars could be "illegal" and that they weren't scrutinised until the first Event.

They will have passed the initial set of FIA checks (the crash tests, etc that get done quite early) - but as others have said the rules on testing are fairly loose

 

[chrismscotland]

F1 testing wrapped for 2024; Qualifying this time next week!